Europe and the US have expressed their willingness to return to talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear program. But despite that, the EU is seemingly still set to approve an embargo on Iranian oil. France even says the time to avoid military intervention is running out.

As for the U.S., this week it strengthened its presence in the region by sending a second aircraft carrier to the Arabian sea. It’s reportedly planning to sail through the Strait of Hormuz which Iran has threatened to block in response to sanctions. The Strait is a strategic waterway which the majority of oil exports from the Gulf to the West pass through. RT discusses the situation around Iran and possible ways out of the crisis with author Michael Winter from Boston.